Artwork
Comme quoi tout le monde de peut ...
Comme quoi tout le monde de peut ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s lithograph *Comme quoi tout le monde de peut* presents a dual‑panel view of a bustling stock exchange. The upper tableau shows a smiling broker clutching coins opposite a sullen figure with an empty purse, while the lower scene gathers a group of well‑dressed financiers engaged in discussion over ledgers and papers.
Subject & Meaning
Through exaggerated facial features—oversized noses, wide eyes, and pronounced expressions—Daumier satirizes the greed, anxiety, and social disparity inherent in 19th‑century financial markets. The contrast between the jubilant trader and the disgruntled pauper underscores the unequal fortunes that define the exchange.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the work relies on a greasy ink applied to a stone surface, allowing Daumier to produce bold lines and stark contrasts quickly. This medium enabled the artist to disseminate his social commentary widely, reaching a broad audience beyond the confines of a gallery.
History & Provenance
Created during Daumier’s prolific period of political and social satire, the print was circulated among the Parisian press and private collectors. Its provenance traces back to early 19th‑century French print dealers, though specific ownership records remain limited.
Context
The image reflects the volatile atmosphere of the French stock exchange in the mid‑1800s, a time when rapid industrial growth and speculative trading heightened public scrutiny of capitalists. Daumian’s work aligns with contemporary caricatures that critiqued the burgeoning capitalist class.
Legacy
*Comme quoi tout le monde de peut* exemplifies Daumier’s skill in merging humor with pointed social critique, influencing later satirists and reinforcing the lithograph’s role as a vehicle for political commentary in modern art history.
Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870.
